Ad majorem dei gloriam

[GrowingSmaller]

I don't want to out the non-believers off their chosen persuit; but couldn't it be true that activist unbelief, in fact sometimes simple unbelief itself, is "for the greater glory of God"?

 

[Wiccan_Child]

I don't want to out the non-believers off their chosen persuit; but couldn't it be true that activist unbelief, in fact sometimes simple unbelief itself, is "for the greater glory of God"?

It's also possible that wearing shoes on one's head is for the greater glory of God. Since the atheist doesn't believe in God, it doesn't (or shouldn't) concern them that one group of theists might consider their theological stance to be divinely glorifying.

That said, 'active unbelief' is a peculiar juxtaposition. 'Unbelief' is to 'belief' what 'atheism' is to 'theism': a rejection of a claim, not a claim itself, a rejection of a belief, not a belief itself. 'Active', however, suggests something akin to an affirmation of a positive claim. So 'active unbelief' seems to be the act of both affirming and not affirming the logical opposite of a belief

 

[Eudaimonist]

I don't want to out the non-believers off their chosen persuit; but couldn't it be true that activist unbelief, in fact sometimes simple unbelief itself, is "for the greater glory of God"?

Atheists are God's chosen people, or haven't you heard?

But I find this speculation silly. It's like asking: But couldn't it be true that Christian belief is "for the greater laughter of Loki"?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[grasping the after wind]

It's also possible that wearing shoes on one's head is for the greater glory of God. Since the atheist doesn't believe in God, it doesn't (or shouldn't) concern them that one group of theists might consider their theological stance to be divinely glorifying.

That said, 'active unbelief' is a peculiar juxtaposition. 'Unbelief' is to 'belief' what 'atheism' is to 'theism': a rejection of a claim, not a claim itself, a rejection of a belief, not a belief itself. 'Active', however, suggests something akin to an affirmation of a positive claim. So 'active unbelief' seems to be the act of both affirming and not affirming the logical opposite of a belief

I think by active unbelief he might be referring to the sort of atheist that pursues the advocacy of atheism with the same zeal as a theist proselytizes for their religion. Trying with much effort to convert those that have different belief systems.

 

[SithDoughnut]

I don't want to out the non-believers off their chosen persuit; but couldn't it be true that activist unbelief, in fact sometimes simple unbelief itself, is "for the greater glory of God"?

In what way are we benefiting God?

 

[JonF]

In what way are we benefiting God?

I can honestly say that Atheist often keep Christians in check for what they believe. Faith is good, Faith is important, but Faith is not the answer to every question in the universe - sometimes Christians forget this and atheist usually take this opportunity to remind them.

 

[quatona]

I don't want to out the non-believers off their chosen persuit; but couldn't it be true that activist unbelief, in fact sometimes simple unbelief itself, is "for the greater glory of God"?

Whatever floats your boat...

 

[GrowingSmaller]

In what way are we benefiting God?

Well you might know of my conversion amidst prayer of last resort in a lightning storm. Around 15 years earlier as a youth full of hubris, I had shouted something like this when asked if I believed in God: "If you exist than strike me down with a lightning bolt you b******!!!"

So maybe he has plans for you all.

 

[SithDoughnut]

Well you might know of my conversion amidst prayer of last resort in a lightning storm. Around 15 years earlier as a youth full of hubris, I had shouted something like this when asked if I believed in God: "If you exist than strike me down with a lightning bolt you b******!!!"

So maybe he has plans for you all.

I fail to see how my non-belief, which I rarely bother expressing outside of this forum, is glorification.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I fail to see how my non-belief, which I rarely bother expressing outside of this forum, is glorification.

He is the centre of attention, at least. Maybe He gets a kick out of causing intellectual strife and commotion, a bit like a child with toy soldiers. All for the glory and entertainment of the field marshal/commander, sitting in His office in outer space.

 

[SithDoughnut]

He is the centre of attention, at least. Maybe He gets a kick out of causing intellectual strife and commotion, a bit like a child with toy soldiers. All for the glory and entertainment of the field marshal/commander, sitting in His office in outer space.

Well then I'm really doing a bad job at causing it.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Exodus 14:17

I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

 

[Tinker Grey]

What does a god need with glory? And why would he/she/it kill to get it?

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Those are very pertinent questions, and ones which I can't answer.

Assume He exists for a moment, and try and argue from a believer's perspective. What do you think?

 

[Eudaimonist]

He is the centre of attention, at least.

Along with leprechans. And gnomes. Can't forget the gnomes.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[variant]

Those are very pertinent questions, and ones which I can't answer.

Assume He exists for a moment, and try and argue from a believer's perspective. What do you think?

From a believers perspective it sounds like the kind of God that a human might make up, so I would believe in something else.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Those are very pertinent questions, and ones which I can't answer.

Assume He exists for a moment, and try and argue from a believer's perspective. What do you think?

Sounds like you're trying to get us to do your dirty work

A being who knows everything and can do anything... a being who operates on such scales that his building blocks are entire galaxies... a being whose mind, if it has one, can be of no parallel to ours... and you think it wants us to glorify it? Such a human trapping for such a majestic creature.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

From a believers perspective it sounds like the kind of God that a human might make up, so I would believe in something else.

You're saying it's not to His glory that you defend the faith against the infidels?

 

[variant]

You're saying it's not to His glory that you defend the faith against the infidels?

Indeed.

Just look throughout history at the people who defend "the faith" and what they are trying to accomplish for "God's Glory".

As a believer (as I am for the purposes of argument) I would not believe that God was nearly as petty as the people who suppose to speak for him and gain authority in it's name.

Any God I would believe in wouldn't seek "glory" like some regular human with regular human desires, and indeed any mention of glory seeking behavior probably speaks to the reverse personification by a human entity.

What need does God have of glory? It is an all powerful entity that is quite capable of standing up for it's own principles.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Didn't Gideon's father, when the townspeople complained about Gideon destroying their idols, say that we should let the gods defend themselves?

Shouldn't the same apply to YHWH?